Hot Topics:

Jim Harbison: VA, Congress are disrespecting our military veterans

Las Cruces Sun-News

Posted:
04/17/2014 01:00:00 AM MDT

I recently had the honor and privilege of representing our veterans' community in Washington, D.C., with members of Congress. Concerned Veterans for America invited veterans, spouses, and military supporters from across America to join with them in visiting members of both the House of Representatives and the Senate concerning issues that affect both active military service members and veterans. Two hundred and fifty members of Congress were contacted by CVA in this effort.

There were several issues that are of primary importance to veterans everywhere. First, and most importantly, is the care our veterans receive from the Veterans Affairs health-care system. The VA had a backlog of more than 800,000 pending service-connected disability claims last year. While the backlog has been reduced, it has not been eliminated, yet bonuses were paid to senior VA officials for their performance failures. Health care for these disabled veterans cannot start until their claim is approved. VA health care isn't just about the veteran; it's about their families as well. Each is impacted by the nature of the service they are provided or denied.

Advertisement

Our veterans faithfully honored their commitment to this nation and risked their lives in support of national strategic policies. Many returned home with physical and mental issues that require immediate and long-term medical care. Due to the ineptitude of the VA, many are experiencing long and needless delays in receiving appropriate health care. While our government is concerned about implementing the Affordable Care Act, it refuses to address health care issues for the veterans who were injured while serving this nation.

The stories of poor care and treatment from the VA system are legendary. Those who are in charge of the VA health care system are members of the Senior Executive Service. Unfortunately, they have created a culture that protects them and employees within the VA system ahead of patient care. No VA employee goes to sleep at night worrying about losing their job the next day.

Sadly, many of our veterans go to bed worrying about whether they will get the necessary and appropriate medical care from the VA. Veterans are obviously not the first priority of the VA as evidenced by the long waiting periods to get their claims processed, get a medical appointment or receive the proper medical care.

Every day, 22 veterans commit suicide. Trying to process through the bureaucratic maze of the VA is so overwhelming for some of those who suffer from post traumatic stress disorder that they give up and ultimately take their own lives.

Concerned Veterans for America is not seeking additional funding for the Veterans Affairs Department. Funding for VA has increased by over $66 billion in the last few years, but there has not been any improvement in the services they provide. Throwing more money at VA will not solve the problem. What is needed is to make management accountable.

CVA strongly endorses H.R. 4031 the Veterans Management Accountability Act sponsored by Rep. Jeff Miller and S. 2013 sponsored by Sen. Marco Rubio. These bills would allow the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to fire SES management personnel. We saw how care at Walter Reed Hospital improved significantly after SES management officials were terminated. In order to change the culture to patient care, you have to change leadership, and this bill provides those opportunities.

One of the other issues confronting our military concerns absentee voting. Shockingly, 30 percent of the absentee ballots cast by members of our military and their families are NOT counted because county officials do not send them out in time, yet no one in Congress seems to be concerned. How would Congress react if 30 percent of the union votes or 30 percent of any minority or protected group were not counted? Congress sends our military into harm's way to protect our freedoms and yet will not protect their votes. This is a non-partisan issue and CVA supports both the House and Senate versions of the SENTRI Act (HR 3576 & S1728) to protect their votes.

CVA and veterans are not asking for something free or for something they did not earn. Our government is obligated to provide appropriate and timely health care for our veterans. The status quo of delayed, poor health care and suppression of their votes is no longer acceptable. We must elect members of Congress that respect and honor our service and are committed to honoring the government obligations to our military, our veterans, and their families.

Jim Harbison is retired infantry officer and highly decorated combat veteran. He is a member of various Masonic and veterans organizations and is an outspoken conservative activist.